You don't have to be a big firm lawyer. Most I know are miserable. Consider prosecution, criminal defense, government work . . . far more fulfilling. However, I went to law school relatively young and had the good fortune to have my parents pay for it, which gave me the luxury of no debt and therefore more options. I too love to write and manage to do so on the side for fun. Most lawyering requires writing, and I find that part fun. Goodl uck!

4:35 pm May 20, 2010

Anonymous wrote:

Unless you get close to a full-ride at a T-14, don't do it.

4:52 pm May 20, 2010

ExportMan wrote:

Your job should also be your vocation, if at all possible. If not, then your job should serve or compliment your vocation to the greatest extent possible. You are allotted a certain amount of time on this earth, why would you want to waste any of it simply pursuing riches unless you had no other choice? Clearly she is not "wired" for (and therefore likely not "called" to) the legal profession. Of course, I'm not a lawyer either (I just play one all day), so what do I know?

4:53 pm May 20, 2010

Guest wrote:

It all depends on what schools you can get into. How high is her LSAT score? What was her undergrad GPA? My advice would be to apply to schools, see which ones admit her, and then go to law school ONLY if she gets into a T14 school.

5:08 pm May 20, 2010

bart wrote:

If I had to do it all over again, I wouldn't. Get a Master's in Creative Writing, get into academics and write from there.

5:09 pm May 20, 2010

Just Graduated wrote:

I didn't graduate from a Top 14, but I did I major in journalism and then went to law school (after I realized no one was hiring journalists), and I think I found my passion. This Top 14 business that everyone keeps talking about is bogus. There are many lawyers who didn't go to Top 14 schools that are brilliant. Consider schools with strong local reputations and then practice locally. You'll do just fine.
During law school, I have worked at a legal services firm helping the indigent elderly for two years, and I did a law school clinic in the public defender's office. I think that if you are wondering if you should go to law school then you should explore it more. The reason I turned from journalism to law was to make a real difference. Journalism is powerful, but it lacks a personal gratification that you can find in the law. I tried out for a newspaper once and made top fold with an important story that may, or may not, have made a difference. But when I won my first jury trial and my client walked free after 100 days in county jail -- that was it. I knew I made the right decision. I agree with Lobbyist, get out there and see how the law is practiced outside of big firms. Don't worry about job prospects at this point. Worry about that 3rd year. Follow your heart. You can always go back to journalism - or never leave it. Continue to write while in law school and after. And last, if you work in public interest for 10 years, you don't need to worry about working 14 hour days in a big firm because Uncle Sam will forgive your debt.

Stick to journalism but if you go to law school maybe you should look into a duel degree program to get a JD and an MA/MS in Journalism/Mass Communications.

5:30 pm May 20, 2010

Chris wrote:

If you become a lawyer without really loving the law, you will be miserable. And, if you rack up a lot of debt to go to law school, not only will you be miserable, but you will be stuck because you'll have to pay back your loans. And that means you'll be miserable for a long time.

Also, you'll only make a lot of money as a lawyer if you graduate from a top school or at the top of your class from a not-top school. So, if you do decide to do it for the money, only do it if you get into a top school.

5:32 pm May 20, 2010

No Jobs wrote:

For every atorney job posted on USAJOBS.GOV, agencies receive between 1,200 to 1,500 applicants. One is better off waiiting in line for a job at a newly opened Wal-Mart or hotel. At least there are only 200 applicants for every open position. I have heard guys tell me that 65K is a good law job these days. The Cook County Publiic Defender was overwheled with applicants.

5:42 pm May 20, 2010

guest wrote:

I also just graduated from law school and I have this advice for you - DO NOT GO TO LAW SCHOOL JUST TO MAKE MONEY. Go to law school only if you want to practice law or currently have a job that will increase your pay if you get the degree. Law school is very expensive and that is one reason why lawyers get paid more. If some how law school won't cost a lot for you to attend (Rich parents, scholarship), then maybe its something you can 'try'.

There are far too many people who went to law school purely bc they thought it was a good way to make money and are shocked that doing something they hate is not worth the money (if they are even lucky to find a job that pays a lot). Fortunately I like practicing law, but I cannot say the same for the majority of people I went to school with who are now miserable and broke.

Very rarely do people do something they love for a career and even more rarely do you get paid a lot to do it. One out of two is still better than most, quit while your ahead.

5:47 pm May 20, 2010

law degree = options wrote:

As you know, there are many things that may be done with a JD aside from practicing law. A large part of practicing law is writing, but you may find a JD an avenue to advance your journalism career. If you're on the fence, my unsolicited advice is to take a class or two at a local law school. You may like it, you may not, but at least you will know.

5:52 pm May 20, 2010

Mitch wrote:

Take a lesson from Tucker Max. He went to UChicago and Duke Law School but ended up becoming a great writer.

(1) Read some legal hornbooks to see if you academically like law. Life will suck if you don't. And pick one that is practically useful - criminal procedure, contracts, sales, bankruptcy, secured transactions, securities, civil procedure.

(2) Wait two years. You want law schools to clear out the people who fled to academia to avoid the recession, and the market is glutted now anyway.

(3) If your concern is making more money in the fairly near term, you either need a scholarship to minimize your loans or a medium-big law job. Which means any of (1) reputable grades at a T-20, (2) solid performance at a regional school in the region you practice in, or (3) top scores at a lower-ranked school.

6:00 pm May 20, 2010

Hate to say it, but... wrote:

The legal profession has changed. There are very few jobs and it's very hard to make a real living. If you have to take out a student loan, it's not worth it. I truly enjoyed my law school experience and my situation is very similar to yours. I loved writing, but wanted a graduate degree and to make more money. So far, it has not panned out the way I planned. Who knows? Things could change. But at the moment, I'm financially worse off than before I went to law school.

I would say that it you're very well connected, independent wealthy, and love the idea of the law, then go to law school. You can do work that you love without needing a pay check. And it's not even about finding a job that you hate that will pay a decent living. Those are very few and far between too. There are no jobs.

6:08 pm May 20, 2010

Anonymous wrote:

As a recent law grad of a top-15 law school, with median grades and no employment, I think Ashby Jones advice is spot on. The money for practicing law is not necessarily there, especially not when you take into account debt. The legal job market hasn't been great for most lawyers in a long time, and now is is terrible even at the top.

As far as enjoying what you do, law doesn't top the list there either. Good journalism may be somewhat intuitive for both the writer and reader. Legal writing doesn't really flow as well because the lawyer must be constantly citing a source of legal authority for almost every sentence. It uses a very small portion of your brain - that portion of conscious working memory. Alot of the qualities that make someone a good writer only partially translate to law as a result.

6:15 pm May 20, 2010

Game Changer wrote:

Dear N:
While it is true that many lawyers do a lot of writing, many other fields need good writing skills as well and many of those can be entered without mortgaging your future with heavy debt.
Your passion is writing, you want to pay the bills, and you don't think you're the next Lois Lane or Stephen King. It does not seem that your interest in law is very strong or deep - not a good sign. Ask yourself -- what other interests do you have? If you think you might have a head for business - not unlikely if you think you might enjoy practicing law - you could consider investor relations or corporate communications. IR takes more background and narrower skills than CC and perhaps, if you really do like business stuff, might be more rewarding to you eventually. If so, while working in corporate communications you could take a few business courses part time or at night - not for a degree, just for basic background. Starting pay in CC is not great but probably is better than freelancing, and probably has some benefits you don't have now. Honestly, starting pay in the law these days is only great for a very small percentage of graduates, and you probably could start in CC with no additional training - no three years out of work, no giant debt.
Good luck!

6:15 pm May 20, 2010

Me wrote:

Prior to law school I worked as a reporter for the AP, a decent-sized daily, and as a freelancer for magazines. I made the practical decision to attend law school as even 10 years ago, journalism wasn't a way to make a living. And as a man, I assumed when I got married, it would be easiest if I made a decent living.

I went to a highly-ranked, expensive private law school. My debt is so high that all I can do is work for a large corporate firm. When I applied to law school, I thought a career in public service would pay significantly higher than journalism, but still allow me to "make a difference."

Most corporate lawyers I meet are miserable. And these were bright, talented, accomplished people prior to law school. Most reporters I knew were miserable from the womb.

I enjoy not having to worry about spending money for a weekend at the beach or buying a new TV. I have a house I love and don't worry about losing it. But I don't bound out the door to go to work in the morning. My niche of the law is not as miserable as some, but it is not my passion.

I'd rather have to save up for the trip to the beach or the new TV, but be excited to head out the door each morning. I was rarely bored as a reporter. I am often bored now.

Just my experience, yours, or others, may be very different.

6:21 pm May 20, 2010

CGG wrote:

N should look at the chart here: http://www.adamsmithesq.com/archives/law-schools/, and examine the probability of some of her assumptions. (If she doesn't make the big law "cut", it could be a few years before she earns more than she is currently earning).

6:21 pm May 20, 2010

JD = Journalism Degree Anyway wrote:

I don't think that N would be out of her mind to go to law school, even if journalism is her real passion. The research, critical thinking and writing skills that law school instills are clearly cross-applicable to journalism. So too the wealth of knowledge garnered from 3 years studying the way the law actually works in America. I've had a lot of friends who have been thinking about a J-School degree, and I've suggested law school to them quite earnestly. There is little that you can get from a J-school degree that is highly marketable, even from the top schools. The perspective and skills that you gain from the law will be extremely helpful in any journalistic career, in both the near and long term. J-school is built on the old model of journalism, and everyone knows that it is basically taking a flying leap out of the window. With all of those changes happening in real time, how useful is it, really, to study them? Better to get the JD, which you can always use to make money as a contract attorney in addition to working on your passion, if need be. If you go to a great school, it opens doors as a pass that says, basically, N is an intelligent person, and can be trusted to do good work. Alternatively, if N can get into a T1 or T2 law school that is willing to give her a scholarship for full or close to full tuition, she can essentially have a highly marketable degree for a low cost. Other commentators are correct that she ought not to do it solely for the money - it is not guaranteed by any means. But it will give her greater career flexibility, and a highly informed background from which she can work for the rest of her life.

8:17 pm May 20, 2010

Richard Careaga wrote:

N, how do you feel about editors? Do you have great relationships with editors who see what you're trying to say better than you do yourself and with only a bit of direction can set you on the right course? Do you hate the editors who rewrite your work, send it back, argue with you when you make those changes and send it back with a new, totally inconsistent set? A great deal of what laywers do is writing and almost all of that will be subject to review by more senior lawyers who have strong, but not necessarily clear, opinions on how your work should be expressed. For every legal editor who is an enlightened guide, you will run across 100-1000 who want to translate what you write into German and back again into English. If writing is your passion, don't do it.

8:54 pm May 20, 2010

NFW wrote:

I went to a great school, at a bargain price, many moons ago (like 20+ years), and was "successful" as a partner in big law - I was "lucky"... and it still sucks. Now, the Faustian bargain is MUCH worse. Stick with something you love, or try ANYTHING else. In my experience, anyone who is talented and hardworking enough to do well in a legal career will do much better, with much less effort, in anything else. Good luck.

(By the way, I"m impressed with all of the advice above, except JD =....)

10:12 pm May 20, 2010

Walter Sobchak wrote:

This one is easy. Law school is a trade school. Don't go to law school unless you really want to be a lawyer. The days the threshold on really want to should be really high. There are not many legal jobs and those there are may not pay much. So you have to really, really want to.

If you think that you might want to be a lawyer, test it out. Get a job as a paralegal or even a receptionist in a law firm. Watch them in their native habitat.

P.S. if you love to write, law school won't help. Most lawyers and judges write in jargon and reading their glub will drag your style down.

12:17 am May 21, 2010

Sir Spiffy wrote:

If you're such a good journalist, why haven't you researched the dozens of blogs explaining why law school is a terrible investment for almost everyone who goes?

It sounds like you want to get paid big bucks to wear suits and do important-sounding work. The reality is you'll probably end up as a permanent temp in a document review sweat shop making the partners upstairs rich.

The only people who should go to law school are those who really know exactly what type of law they want to practice (litigation, tax, etc.) and who have no other interests or talents. Also, it helps if you don't have a moral core that will get in the way of your evicting widows or acting as claims counsel for an insurance company, making sure some orphan doesn't get one phucking dime more than necessary.

1:05 am May 21, 2010

Alex wrote:

I moved from journalism to law, to grow up, to earn a salary I could support myself on, to stop living in a shared apartment. After graduating, I followed the herd and I was deeply, deeply unhappy working for law firms. As far as I'm concerned, a law firm associate is an indentured servant and NO amount of $$ can make that life worth it. However, I now work in government: Yes I live a humbler life, but I love my job! I don't extend my billable hours till 11 PM, I like my colleagues and every aspect of the work is interesting. Guess what? I even have time for writing.

9:35 am May 21, 2010

Brian Rowland wrote:

I have to respectfully differ with Ashby Jones.

I was in broadcasting for about 18 years, loved the creative aspect of it (production and writing) but decided to hit the brakes in the late 1990's and go to law school. For me (at least), it is one of the best decisions I have ever made in life. I've found that having prior experience and skills has paid off tremendously in the melding of my new skill set into my previous.

While I could not be happier with the decision, I do firmly believe: (a) it is only going to be as good as you make it; and (b) the legal career path should draw upon your writing love/skills in order for you to get a similar result as I did.

After my years in broadcasting and software, my practice parlays those skill and knowledge sets into a hybrid business, Intellectual property and real estate practice. I am glad I took the leap!

You may want to consider legal marketing. I have a liberal arts degree and stumbled onto legal marketing while looking for jobs in the communications field. These jobs are often heavily focused on writing (drafting, editing, and publishing internal and client-facing publications, including newletters, articles, blogs, etc.). Moreover, you also have plenty of exposure to the attorney-experience at a law firm, which would allow you to get a better sense of whether law school is the right path for you. Best of all, these jobs typically allow for an excellent-work life balance (37.5 hour work week at my firm) so you could still pursue your writing career on a freelance basis. If you wan't more information, I would suggest checking out the Legal Marketing Association website.

9:51 am May 21, 2010

Larry Florio wrote:

I completely agree with the general sentiment here. If you have a passion that is not the law, and you're familiar with how the practice of law actually works, then you should stick with your passion. Employment is way down in the legal profession and the myth of lawyer = good salary is just that.

Stick with your passion. If you really feel a need to find a more lucrative career and you're 100% sure that journalism is NOT that path, then I highly recommend finding one that doesn't involve giving up 3-4 years of your life to school and accumulating $100,000+ in debt along with it.

Speaking of legal marketing, here's a tip: the rules in Florida change very soon on what attorneys can advertise on the web. I guesstimate that about 40-50% of lawyer websites will not be in compliance and will need emergency assistance to retool. Articles can be found on the Florida Bar News site at http://www.flabar.org. A savvy web developer should be advertising in the Fla. bar News about right now!

10:10 am May 21, 2010

Lefty wrote:

N - Follow your passion... life is too short to do anything else. If you get up in the morning dreading your "work," keep looking. The really succesful people that I know (not necessarily wealthy monetarily) love what they do. They consider work... play. I practiced in a small town, two attorney firm for a few years... the first few years were as exciting as could be... great experience jury trials, appeals etc. It was fun being a fairly big fish in a very small pond. However when I started looking at potential clients as "this month's rent check" etc. I knew that I had to look further. I was very lucky, I found a law related job that I love. I get to use my law degree, but most importantly love what I do... I actually get paid (not a bunch, but fairly well - no complaints) for doing something I consider fun... THAT is my hope and dream for my kids and grandkids and you - N.

10:17 am May 21, 2010

IT'S A JOB wrote:

If I had burning ambition, could only see myself being happy working for one of the Big Law firms, and felt the need to make more money than 98% of the work force, and that is why I wanted to go to law school, I'd say forget it, for all the reasons noted above. But I think Alex above has a good perspective on it. My story: I left grad school in english 30 plus years ago, went to a good state law school (tier 1), wrote on to law review, got a good job, made partner, supported my family--left Big Law ten years ago to start a small firm. Have always viewed what I do (transactional work) as being in business--facilitating commerce--as work, plain and simple, not a high and noble profession, but work. Like being a CPA or being a retailer. I do wish I had bailed from Big Law a bit sooner, because I have learned that there are a lot of attorneys earning a nice living without Big Law pressures. Meanwhile, with the time I have saved by dropping out of Big Law, I have returned to writing (published in literary mags no one will read), renewed my acquaintence with the piano, and spent more time with family. The practice of law has been a good job. Three or four years from now, when a prospective law student now will be looking for work, the market will have gotten better--not necessarily a return to the glory days--but there will be jobs. Especially for those who will be content finding a spot where s/he can work reasonable hours for a reasonable income--and still find time for writing or whatever else one might do as an avocation, rather than a job. So, if someone right now can go to a decent (top 100) law school without running up a ton of debt--and is currently in a job with limited upside--like journalism--sure, try law school. If nothing else, the first year curriculum really does a lot to explain the basics of how our legal system works--contracts, torts, real property, etc. Not a bad education if the price is right.

10:18 am May 21, 2010

Medium Law Associate wrote:

There is a reason that some lawyers make six figure salaries and it has nothing to do with their skill set. Such salaries are necessary given what they are asked to do. And even with those high salaries, the attrition rates remain high. So, even if you go to a top law school, do well, and land a well paying legal job, chances are that you'll be asked to give up things that you haven't yet considered. I say stick with your passion and try to find a more lucrative position within the field.

And, by the way, I agree with Ashby -- if you love writing, then stay away from the law. It will kill your passion. Legal writing is a world apart from journalism.

10:30 am May 21, 2010

From The Trenches wrote:

While I agree with Emily's post (May 21, 2010 9:40 a.m.) ..."These jobs are often heavily focused on writing (drafting, editing, and publishing internal and client-facing publications, including newletters, articles, blogs, etc.). Moreover, you also have plenty of exposure to the attorney-experience at a law firm, which would allow you to get a better sense of whether law school is the right path for you," for those of us who have been part of legal marketing for 10 years or more, the demands of a legal marketer today isn't a "cake walk". The "work-life balance" only depends on where you are. It's like a cumbaya moment -- some of us have it but many of us don't. In major areas, and I can speak for New York, and I'm sure my legal marketing colleagues in Boston, Chicago, Washington D.C., Houston and Los Angeles would agree, many of us are often working 60 hours per week. Depending on the law firm, that's an expectation. With the economic downturn, we are all doing more with less. As attorneys and firms as a whole have realized that in order to survive the "clutter" they need to be more consistent with their message and brand, finding ways of differentiating themselves from their competitors, jostling for attention in various media -- not to mention the absolute necessity of business and client development, can be overwhelming.

Visit the Legal Marketing Association (LMA) international organization website (or any of the local chapter websites), as Emily suggested, but please bare in mind that like any profession (and legal marketers are professionals), you need to do your research. Some chapters even have LinkedIn pages where you do not necessarily have to be an LMA paid member to join. Legal marketers come with varing degrees and skill sets. Speak with those who are have made legal marketing their career not only within law firms, but as service providers/consultants, and speak with those who have made the transition from outside legal marketing and into legal marketing. Good Luck!

11:49 am May 21, 2010

Recent Grad wrote:

I am a recently-licensed lawyer who left a journalism job several years ago for many of the same reasons N describes in her letter. Although the job market has been much more difficult than I anticipated and I occasionally miss journalism, I don’t regret going to law school. I wish I could have picked a better time to start my legal career, but I probably would make the same decision again. Journalism and law have a lot of similar challenges: long hours, tight deadlines, frequent conflict and serious ethical responsibilities, to name a few. I would, of course, echo other commenters’ advice to minimize debt and spend time finding out what lawyers actually do before taking the law school plunge, and I would make sure my family is on board with the decision. Whatever you do, however, do not go to law school for the money you think lawyers make. Some are wealthy, many are not. Be realistic about salary expectations, and try to have a backup plan in case you don’t find a job right away.

11:58 am May 21, 2010

Cassandra wrote:

N, your question appears to rest on an assumption which is simply not correct: that you can make money as a lawyer, and that law school will be a good investment from a financial point of view, even if it keeps you from doing what you love. This is far, far from certain nowadays, even for someone with a strong academic background such as your own. A modest amount of research will confirm that the notion that, if you can simply tolerate law school, you will be compensated handsomely, is a a dangerous myth. That critical piece of information recasts your heart/head dilemma in a big way: something you love vs. a huge financial risk for something you're pretty sure is "not for you."

6:42 pm May 21, 2010

Going to get an LLM wrote:

I'm from a small town, and when people ask me "Isn't law school hard?" my response is "Yes. In fact, if I didn't love it, I couldn't do it." I want work in policy, and so I felt like a good knowledge of the law was necessary. But 1st year torts? I could have cared less. But I love the theory behind law, and that's what pushed me to study for my exams. If you don't think you'll love it, don't do it.

7:24 pm May 21, 2010

Jim wrote:

I think it's a great plan. Go to a top law school, if you can, get a federal clerkship, then get a job at a big law firm for three or so years, then find a small, collegial, law firm, whee you can stay for the long term. You can do this and have a great life. Don't listen to the naysayers. The journalism background is interesting and potential employers will like it.

8:52 pm May 21, 2010

been there, done that wrote:

a case of where passion protection is needed

12:18 pm May 22, 2010

Anonymous wrote:

Go to law school! I was just like you, now I'm a career law clerk and get to do research and writing all day, with little stress, really good pay, and great hours. Law school stinks, but life is really good once you've been out a few years. Good luck!

1:26 pm May 22, 2010

L wrote:

Dear N, I am a lawyer... I like what I do... I feel passion about it... I am not making good money though!!! I suppose it is because I am located in a very bad jurisdiction for the kind of practice that I like... Recently, I tried a job that required excellent writing skills and would provide me more money than law... It did not work out because I did not have any passion at it, and I was not enjoying it... Then... I would tell you that ´practicality' simply does not work sometimes... I would tell you follow your heart... and I suppose that money will come... I suppose so for me too...

10:35 am May 24, 2010

Anonymous wrote:

I was in a very similar situation to N: got a masters in Journalism, worked in house at a magazine and freelanced for a couple years. Got frustrated by the lack of opportunities (and money) and decided to go to law school. I do not regret my decision because I actually enjoy law (caveat: I just graduated and have not yet practiced yet). I find that litigation requires many of the same skills as journalism: clear/persuasive writing, research, telling a story, etc... And being a former journalist definitely helped me in law school and to land a good job.

While I loved journalism, I knew that I also had an interest and aptitude for law. So I guess the question is: are you going into law purely for the practicality; or do you think you might actually like it? If purely for practicality, I think it is way too expensive and labor-intensive to be worth it.

2:41 pm May 24, 2010

Chad wrote:

N, as an exiting 3L, I can not understand ANY reason to leave a job to go to law school. Simply put, there are no jobs out there for lawyers, and more people than ever took the LSAT last year.

7:31 pm May 24, 2010

Anonymous wrote:

Don't do it. Law demands your utmost dedication, before family even. The profession is rife with others who are saddled with debt and desperate to succeed. You too are likely to incur a tremendous amount of debt and face a very sparse job market. Because of the debt obligations you cannot easily accept the non-profit jobs, or the government jobs (or generally anything other than the law firm track or document review grind). If you are not debt financing your education, and there is a rarefied field of law you aspire to, by all means apply! Otherwise be aware of the pitfalls.

9:47 am May 25, 2010

Mikey Hates Everything wrote:

Chad's right. High risk to bail on a good career and current income. You "could" hedge things a bit and go part-time but it's a grind. And there's a good chance your local program isn't highly rated. You save some bucks but in the end, few employers value your persistence as a part-timer - or whatever your current career is - unless it's got a direct link to a key practice area

Perhaps if you have experience , e.g., retail securities business, are a CPA, have engaged in real-estate dev/workouts, or have a tech undergrad degree you will be attractive to large and small firms. That experience will get you interviews, maybe ahead of grads from higher-tiered schools. And/or those with stellar GPAs.

I was 32 went I went the part-time route while at a major consulting firm. I had a top MBA, experience in a couple of the specialties above, but after a year the griind was too much and I transferred to another school full-time. I was lucky to get into a top 20 school and luckier to have interviews all over the country. That was 1988. I've done fine, but not so sure if I was finishing now.

The economics are different in 2010: The ratio of average starting salariy/average debt was workable back then - even if you didn't score a BigLaw position.

Because of the high cost (and if full-time -- NO INCOME), starting any law school program now may mean you assume the risk of having a negative net worth for many, many years. Unless you are lucky, that is.

10:47 am May 25, 2010

Nope wrote:

I am in the same boat as many of the previous posters: I firmly regret my decision to go to law school, as I completely destroyed my career path and "good" money earning potential (since I left a very good job and career path to go to a T2 law school). Law school is miserable and useless in the ways that have already been discussed (in a professional, financial, intellectual, you name it senses). Thus, the basic takeaway of all of this discussion is that you should not go to law school period.

However, if you decide to go to law school, it is very simple and straightforward:

1) All the matters is the LSAT. You can literally have a criminal record (I am speaking from peer experience), but if you push that 170 level, you will get into ONE of the top schools, at least. This is the irony (and disgusting facet) of the law school admissions world and process. Try to excel on the LSAT, and if you get into Top 14 school, go (regardless of whether you incur any debt or not).

2) If you are limited to ~T2 options, make SURE that you take $0 debt (or the very least, debt so low as to be practically "zero"). I have worked full-time in law school at a position, while essentially useless in terms of a career development aspect, has nevertheless provided significant compensation, enabling zero debt. However, I have absolutely no job prospects and the only source of comfort is that I do not have Sallie Mae breathing down my neck as I swim out into this toxic sea of careerless, directionless unemployment.

1:34 pm May 26, 2010

L wrote:

I have a slightly diffrent perspective. Although I would not recommend anyone to go to law school right now due to the uncertain job market, I do not believe a love of writing and the law are incompatible. To the contrary, clear, concise writing is importnat for whatever type of law one practices, and much satisfaction can be obtained from a well-written brief or contract. Lawyers are professional writers.

9:58 am May 27, 2010

BJ/JD wrote:

I went to one of the more well-known journalism schools in the country, and then I went to law school after I decided journalism probably was not for me. About half of that decision was based on my belief that print journalism jobs (what I wanted to do) were disappearing and that law offered a more stable and lucrative career parth. I did well at a tier-2 school and was fortunate to get a good job at a small to mid-size firm in Chicago, which - as some of the above comments indicate - is a very difficult job market. However, if I now look at it from a practical perspective, journalism may have been a smarter choice. I would not have any debt, my hours would be better, the subject matter of my work would be more diverse, and the "media" is finding more and better ways to monetize the Internet, which allows more writers to making a living.
The other half of my decision was that I actually enjoy the law, and I still find that to be true. Plus, MANY of the skills you learn as a journalist transfer to the being a lawyer. Not the least of which is the ability to communicate clearly. Although I know people who make more money than myself in sales or finance, I do not think I would enjoy those jobs because they involve chasing money for the sake of chasing money. If you do not think you will enjoy and remain interested in the law, I would stick with journalism because your beliefs about the financial benefits to a law degree may not be correct.

9:57 am August 16, 2010

RUNNING FROM THE LAW yeslifeworks@yahoo.com wrote:

In all the comments, there are truths that can guide your decision. I graduated from Law School with honors, set up a free clinic providing legal services, which still serves the indigent 25 years later.
I had to run from the law to restore my honor.
The moral reason, law school is like a smoke filled bar, you come out smelling like smoke, you, you hair, your clothes. The smoke that will invade your every pore is "win at any cost" and it will not leave you until you go through reconstructive therapy wherein with work you will be restored to a human being, All this is costly your greatest risk is losing yourself...

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